That was the news that greeted the Giants Monday before opening a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. The Giants were in a celebratory mood several hours later after Nick Hundleys two-run, two-out single in the ninth inning capped a three-run rally to beat San Diego 6-5.

Besides having an All-Star game, a gold glove and the distinction of being the first player to open the season with solo home runs in consecutive 1-0 victories on his resume, Panik has a lengthy history of injuries.

The Giants found out they would be without one of the key components of their infield defense for approximately six weeks after Panik underwent thumb surgery following a second-opinion wtih Dr. Stephen Shin in Los Angeles.

All went well, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of the surgery. He had the ligament repaired and were probably looking at six weeks.

In Paniks absence, the Giants are expected to start the switch-hitting Hanson against right-handers and Kelby Tomlinson against left-handers until Panik returns.

Tomlinson started at shortstop Monday night, and he and Hanson turned a 6-4-3 double play which got starter Jeff Samardzija out of the third inning. In the fifth inning, Hanson fielded a slow roller by Franchy Cordero and made an off-balance throw to first for the third out which prevented Eric Hosmer from scoring from third base.

Panik will rejoin the team Tuesday and probably rehab during the upcoming road trip in Arizona. Panik, hitting .267 with three homers and five RBIs, was injured on a tag play on a pickoff attempt at second of the Dodgers Yasiel Puig Friday night.

Its the latest in a line of injuries for the former first-round draft pick out of St. Johns. Given the amount of time Panik will miss this season, his 138 games played a year ago remains his career high.

In 2015, Panik had lower back issues that were eventually diagnosed as an L5 vertebra fracture. The following season, Panik missed most of the month of July with a concussion and recurring symptoms.

Bochy felt fortunate that the injury was to Paniks glove hand, not to his throwing hand.

I think he can ramp up the rehab a little bit more than if it was the right hand, whether its one-arm swinging, Bochy said. He can throw, he can do a lot of things with the right arm. Youve got to keep the throwing arm in shape.

Its been conga line to the disabled list for the Giants in 2018, so much so that hovering near .500 is an accomplishment not be discounted.

Left-handed pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who broke the fifth metacarpal on his pitching hand in his final spring training start, has missed all season and will get checked in Arizona and hopefully resume throwing soon.

Starting pitchers Johnny Cueto (ankle) and Samardzija (pectoral strain)  Monday nights starter  spent time on the D.L. Relief pitcher Mark Melancon opened the season on the disabled list because of a right elbow flexor strain and has been throwing lately after receiving an April 12 stem cell injection of his pronator.

Injured position players include outfielders Hunter Pence (right thumb sprain) and Mac Williamson, who is on the concussion list and not eligible to return this weekend.

Expected back Wednesday is left-handed reliever Will Smith, who pitched twice for Class AAA Sacramento after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Its a little easier replacing the position players, Bochy said. The (starting pitchers), theyre the toughest. Our pitching has been pretty good despite losing Melancon, Will Smith and our three starters who have been on the D.L. Thats what Im happy about. Weve hung in there.

 Madison Bumgarner is headed to Arizona to get the fracture in his left hand checked out and if all goes well he could begin throwing soon. Bochy estimates Bumgarner would need a few flat-ground sessions before an actual bullpen session.

 Left-hander Andrew Suarez was at the ballpark as a member of the taxi squad and will be promoted Tuesday and start against the Padres Tyson Ross.

Suarez was generally solid in his major league debut against Arizona on April 11, retiring the first 10 batters he faced  striking out five  and pitching 5 1/3 innings without a walk.

Twice Suarez caught too much of the plate against the Diamond backs, with Paul Goldschmidt and John Ryan Murphy hitting home runs. Suarez gave up four earned runs in the game.

He threw strikes, got ahead in the count, did a lot of good things for his first start, Bochy said. Hopefully he can carry that into tomorrows game.

 Mac Williamson took batting practice Monday and told Bochy he felt no symptoms. He cannot be activated off the concussion disabled list until this weekend.

 Crawford, hitting .125 on the homestand (3-for-24) and 5-for-45 in his last 13 games, was not in the starting lineup.

Hes just getting a day, played both games of a doubleheader, played yesterday, day game after a night game. He could use a little break so hes getting it today, Bochy said.